September 28, 2007

This year, World Diabetes Day will be recognized on November 14th. According to the website, the United Nations passed a landmark Resolution last year recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007.

The theme of this year's World Diabetes Day campaign is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents. Type 1 diabetes is growing by 3 percent each year in children and adolescents, and at an alarming 5 percent each year among pre-school children. It is estimated that 70,000 children under the age of 15 develop type 1 diabetes each year - this is almost 200 children a day.

One of the key points of the campaign is that diabetes hits poor children the hardest. I think daily about children who don't have access to insulin, syringes, other supplies and strong medical support. We are so blessed at present to have great coverage for Olivia and a wonderful endo team, but why us and not others? No child should die for lack of insulin.

There aren't any events taking place on that date in our area, so I don't know what we will do to "celebrate," but I will be using the blog to get the word out. If you have a blog and haven't done so already, please consider adding a World Diabetes Day banner to your site. Consider supporting the Life for a Child sponsorship program. Or just read through their material and pick up some talking points. Pass along the word.

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1 Comments:

Blogger Chris said...

Here in Winnipeg we have the honor of having one of the Youth Ambassadors that was advocating for the UN resuloution this past while. And in the past few months i have had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman (Josh Manusow) at a couple of diabetes events.
He is an extraodinary person rallying for us.
Ironically we had our DERCA appointment last thursday and they said in the past 10 days they have had 12 new diagnoses! That breaks my heart.
I would like to dig up the video montage they made for the UN resolution and send it to you. I think it is on one of my past posts.
Awareness is key. It is essential for people to know about what is going on with our little Emma and i often mention the lil ones on here too. It tweeks people interest. Maybe enough that next time they have an opprotunity to donate or volunteer for the JDRF they will.
Nice post.

10:40 PM  

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